Closure and switch actuating means



March 6, 1962 R. D. NELSON 3,024,338

CLOSURE AND SWITCH ACTUATING MEANS Filed July 15, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ROLLAND D. NELSON ATTORNEY March 6, 1962 H. D. NELSON 3,024,338

CLOSURE AND SWITCH ACTUATING MEANS Filed July 15, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ROLLAND D. NELSON ATTORN E States 3,024,338 Patented Mar. 6, 1962 @fhce 3,024,338 CLOSURE AND SWITCH ACTUATHNG MEANS Rolland D. Nelson, Hates Corners, Wis, assignor to RT & E Corporation, Waukesha, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed July 15, 1959, Ser. No. 827,397 9 Claims. ((31. 200-172) This invention relates to switches for use in conjunction with transformers to serve either as a voltage or tap changer and more particularly to a unitary closure and actuating means therefore.

While various types of externally operated tap changers are now in common use, it has been found that they contain certain inherent shortcomings. The most glaring defeet in the majority of the tap changers, now in common use, lies in the fact that the externally positioned manually operable portion thereof is completely exposed to the elements and thereby subject to corrosion and icing and subsequent inoperativeness. Also similar tap changers commonly leak oil through the shafting seals. Also the exact positioning of contacts is doubtful with the usual externally operated tap changer.

The primary object of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of externally operated tap and voltage changer switches by providing a unitary closure and actuating means therefor.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a unitary closure and switch actuating means adapted for selective application to the switch either as a closure or a means for altering the operating positions of the switch.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision in a switch closure of actuating means adapted for selective removable application to the operating shaft of the switch to effect the alteration of its operating positions.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision in a switch closure of means to insure against the removal of the switch actuating means of the closure from the operating shaft of the switch when the switch is in a non-operating position.

A more specific object of the invention resides in the combining of the closure and switch actuating means in a unitary structure to thereby eliminate the necessity of using a separate tool to effect the switching operation.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a transformer with a portion of the tank broken away to show the application of the switch construction embodying the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the closure and switch actuating means;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with the unitary closure and actuating means removed from the switch;

'FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the switch showing the high voltage terminals and the various stationary contacts together with the movable bridging contact element;

FIG. 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4, showing the closure in operating position; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the switch actuating means in operating position to provide for selectively altering the position of the movable contact to effect the desired tap or voltage changes in the transformer.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawing, it will be noted that a switch 10 is positioned within a transformer tank 11 below the level of dielectric fluid 12 contained within the tank. The switch iii may be of any desired construction that includes a plurality of stationary contacts adapted for selective connection by means of a movable contact. Suitable electrical connections are provided to and from the several stationary contacts of the switch 10 to provide the desired connections between the several transformer windings under the control of the switch 10, the selective positioning of which is manually controlled exteriorly of the tank 11.

In the present instance, I have chosen to show the switch 10 as comprising a body portion 13 formed of insulating material provided with a pair of high voltage terminals 14- and a plurality of circumferentially spaced stationary contacts 15. The terminals 14 and the circumferentially spaced stationary contacts 15 may be electrically connected in any appropriate manner to provide the desired circuits in the transformer windings.

The body portion 13 of the switch 10 is mounted on or suitably attached to a flanged portion 16 of a sleeve 17 provided with an axial bore 18 adapted to form a bearing for the portion of a rotatably mounted shaft 19 that carries a bridging contact roller 2t adapted to establish electrical connection between selected adjacent circumferentially spaced stationary contacts 15. The outer extremity of the shaft 19 is contoured in a manner to effect rotation of the shaft 3W under the influence of the application and rotation of a switch actuating portion 21 of a closure 22 to be hereinafter more specifically described.

The mounting sleeve 17 is provided with external threading 23 adapted to project outwardly through an opening 24 formed in the wall of the tank 11. A gasket 25 which surrounds the mounting sleeve 17 provides a seal between the surface of the flanged portion 16 of the sleeve 17 and the inner surface of the tank 11 that surrounds the opening 24 when a positioning nut 26 is applied to the external threading 23 of the mounting sleeve 17.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 5, of the accompanying drawing, it will be noted that a cavity 27 disposed adjacent the outer extremity of the sleeve 17 is of considerably greater diameter than the bore 18 in which the shaft 19 is rotatably journalled for the purpose of receiving the switch actuating portion 21 of the closure 22. A shoulder 25 formed adjacent the outer end of the cavity 27 serves to position an apertured disc or shroud 29 which is retained in fixed relationship with the sleeve 17 through the cooperating relationship between an ear 30 formed on the disc 29 and an axially disposed slot 31 formed in the sleeve 17. To insure the retention of the disc or shroud 29 in proper position against the shoulder 28, the outer extremity of the sleeve 17 is of reduced thickness and is spun over the outer surface of the disc 29.

The sealing closure 22 comprises a casting including a central recess 32 provided with internal threading 33 for application to the external threading 23 of the mounting sleeve 17. A recess 34 which is contiguous with the recess 32 is of a greater diameter than the recess 32 so as to provide the closure with a forwardly directed flange 35 that surrounds the positioning nut 26. The face of the flange 35 is adapted to engage and compress a gasket 36 that surrounds the positioning nut 26 to afford a seal when the closure 22 is applied to the mounting sleeve 17. The outer extremity of the closure 22 is provided with a circular boss 37 having a cavity 38 provided with a contour that is slidably receivable over the outer extremity of the shaft 19 to provide a motion transmitting connection through which the shaft 19 may be rotated to alter the electrical connection between the movable contact 20 and the adjacent stationary contacts 15 of the switch. The peripheral surface of the boss 37 is provided with a plu rality of outwardly extending circumferentially spaced 3,0 3 cars 39 for a purpose to be hereinafter more specifically described.

In the present disclosure, the outer extremity of the shaft 19 is illustrated as being hexagonal in form and the cavity 38 in the closure 22 is of matching form. It is to be understood however that the contours of the outer extremity of the shaft 19 and the cavity 38 may be of any matching configuration to permit the application of the switch actuating portion 21 of the closure 22 to the outer extremity of the shaft 13 when the closure 22 is removed from its sealing position on the mounting sleeve 17 and reversed to effect the motion transmitting connection between the switch actuating portion 21 of the closure 22 and the outer extremity of the shaft 19.

A peripheral portion of the closure 22 is also provided with a plurality of outwardly extending circuinferentially spaced ribs 40 which serve to facilitate the tightening or loosening of the closure 22 on the mounting sleeve 17.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 3, of the accompanying drawing, it will be noted that the fixedly positioned disc or shroud 29 is provided with a central aperture 41 having a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches 42 to provide an opening having a contour such that the end of the boss 37' with its outwardly extending circumferentially spaced ears 3? may be applied to the extremity of the shaft 19 by its insertion through the matchingly contoured aperture 41.

The outer extremity of the shaft 19 is provided with an embossed arrow or other suitable marking 43 to indicate the position of the contact roller 20 housed within the transformer tank 11.

In the present instance, the switch shown for illustrative purposes comprises six position switch, five of which are active, and it will be noted that there are six circumferentially spaced ears 39 on the boss 37 of the closure 22 and that there are also six notches 42 interrupting the circumference of the aperture 41 in the fixedly positioned disc 29 that forms a shroud for the cavity 27 in the mounting sleeve 17. The cooperating relationship between the ears 39 on the boss 37 and the notches 42 in the disc 29 provides a means by which the reversedly positioned closure 22 cannot be applied to or removed from the operating shaft 19 of the switch it; unless the same is in proper position to establish the desired electrical connection between the contact roller 2% and the adjacent pair of the circumferentially spaced stationary contacts 15. The face of the disc or shroud 29 carries suitable indicia 44 toward which the arrow 43 may be selectively directed to provide visual means to determine the proper selection of the desired position of the switch 10.

The marked advantage of the present device over previously known externally operated voltage or tap changer switches resides in the fact that it selectively provides a sealed closure for the operating mechanism of the switch or affords, as an integral part thereof, a switch actuating means by which the position of the movable contact element may be quickly and easily changed without requiring the use of other tools.

In actual use, the majority of the transformers to which these devices are applied are pole mounted and in order to effect the desired alteration of the switch connections the lineman must scale the pole. The present device affords a simple and effective means by which the external operating portion of the switch is maintained in sealed condition under normal circumstances, and its position may be readily altered by the removal of the closure 22 from the mounting sleeve and the reversal of its position to effect the insertion of switch actuating portion 21 of, the closure 22 through the aperture 41 in the disc 29 to establish an operating connection between the portion 21 of the closure 22 and the end of the shaft 19. Rotation of the closure 22 may then be effected to alter the switch connections within the transformer tank 11 in accordance with the instant requirement. After the desired switching operation has been effected it will be noted that the switch actuating portion of the closure 22 cannot be removed from the end of the shaft 19 unless the bridging contact 21) of the switch is in proper position between two adjacent stationary contacts 15. This feature of the device is accomplished by the proper positioning of the notches 42 in the aperture 41 so that the closure 22 may not be withdrawn from the end of the switch operating shaft 19 unless and until the cars 39 of the boss 37 are in alignment with the notches 42 of the aperture 41. After the desired switching operation has been completed, the closure 22 may be withdrawn from the end of the switch operating shaft 19, reversed and reapplied to the threading 23 of the mounting sleeve to form an effective closure for the externally operating means of the switch.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the unitary closure and switch actuating means of the present invention affords a simple and effective device that may be used selectively as a closure for the normally exposed operating portions of the switch or a means for altering the operating positions of the switch. In addition to affording protection for the normally exposed operating portions of the switch against the elements the present device provides an adequate seal to insure against oil leakage from the transformer tank when it is used as a closure for the switch. The present device also incorporates means which provide positive assurance that the switch contacts are in operating position since the switch actuating means cannot -be removed from the operating shaft of the switch except when the contacts are in operative relationship. Another advantage of the present device resides in the fact that the lineman may make the required switch changes by the utilization of the closure itself rather than employing a separate tool.

While the invention has been described in considerable detail in the foregoing specification, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in its embodiment without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. The combination with a multiposition rotary switch including a normally exposed rotatable switch operating element of a member selectively applicable to the switch in either of two positions, said member forming a closure for the normally exposed rotatable switch operating element of the switch when applied thereto in one position and forming an actuating means for said rotatable switch operating element of said rotary switch when applied thereto in its other position, and cooperating means in the form of matching contours on said switch and said member whereby said member when in its actuating position on said rotatable switch operating element cannot be removed from said rotary switch unless said rotary switch is in a circuit closing position.

2. The combination with a multiposition rotary switch including a normally exposed rotatable switch operating element of a combined closure and actuating means for the switch, said combined closure and actuating means being selectively applicable to said switch in either of two positions, said combined means forming a closure for the normally exposed rotatable switch operating element of said switch when applied thereto in one position and forming an actuating means for said rotatable switch operating element of said switch when applied thereto in its other position, and cooperating means in the form of matching contours on said switch and said combined closure and actuating means whereby said combined means when in its actuating position cannot be removed from said switch unless said switch is in a circuit closing position.

3. The combination with a normally closed multiposition rotary switch including a normally exposed rotatable switch operating element of a combined closure and actuating means for said switch, said combined closure and actuating means being selectively applicable to said switch in either of two positions, cooperating means on said switch and said combined closure and operating means whereby said combined closure and actuating means forms a closure for said normally exposed rotatable switch operating element of said switch when applied thereto in one position, cooperating means on said rotatable switch operating element of said switch and said combined closure and actuating means whereby said combined closure and actuating means forms the actuating means for said rotatable switch operating element of said switch when applied thereto in its other position, and additional cooperating means in the form of matching contours on said switch and said combined closure and actuating means whereby said combined means in its actuating position cannot be removed from said switch unless said switch is in a closed position.

4. The combination with a normally closed multiposition rotary switch including a normally exposed rotatable switch operating element of a member selectively applicable to said switch in either of two positions, said member comprising a body portion, a pair of recesses formed in said body portion, said member forming a closure for said normally exposed rotatable switch operating element of said switch when one of said recesses is applied to said switch and forming an actuating means for said rotatable switch operating element when the other of said recesses is applied to said normally exposed rotatable operating element of said switch, and additional cooperating means in the form of matching contours on said switch and said member whereby said member cannot be removed from its operating position on said switch unless said switch is in a circuit closing position.

5. The combination with a normally closed multiposition rotary switch including a normally exposed rotatable switch operating element of a member selectively applicable to said switch in either of two positions, said member comprising a body portion, a pair or" recesses formed in said body portion, said member forming a closure for said normally exposed rotatable switch operating element of said switch when one of said recesses is applied to said switch and forming an actuating means for said rotatable switch operating element when the other of said recesses is applied to said normally exposed rotatable switch op erating element of said switch, and cooperating means in the form of matching contours on said switch and said member whereby said member when in its switch actuating position cannot be removed from said rotatable switch operating element unless said switch is in a closed position.

6. The combination with a normally closed multiposition rotary switch including a normally exposed rotatable switch operating element of a member selectively applicable to said switch in either of two positions, cooperating means on said switch and said member whereby the application of said member in one position on said switch forms a closure for said normally exposed rotatable switch operating element of said switch, and additional cooperating means on said exposed rotatable switch operating element and said member whereby the application of said member to the switch in its other position forms an actuating means for said normally exposed rotatable switch operating element of said switch, and additional cooperating means in the form of matching contours on said switch and said member whereby said member cannot be removed from its operating position on said switch unless said switch is in a circuit closing position.

7. The combination with a normally closed multiposi tion rotary switch including a normally exposed rotatable switch operating element of a member selectively applicable to said switch in either of two positions, cooperating means on said switch and said member whereby the application of said member in one position on said switch forms a closure for said normally exposed rotatable switch operating element of said switch, cooperating means on said exposed rotatable switch operating element and said member whereby the application of said member in its other position on said switch forms an actuating means for said rotatable switch operating eletent of said switch, and additional cooperating means in the form of matching contours on said switch and said member whereby said member when in its switch actuating position cannot be removed from said rotatable switch operating element unless said switch is in a circuit closing position.

8. The combination with a normally closed multiposition rotary switch including a normally exposed rotatable switch operating element of a member selectively applicable to said switch in either of two positions, cooperating means in the form of threading on said switch and said member whereby the threaded application of said member to said switch forms a closure for said normally exposed operating element of said switch, and cooperating means in the form of matching contours on said switch operating element and said member whereby the application of said member to said switch in its other position forms an actuating means for said rotatable switch operating element, and additional cooperating means in the form of matching contours on said switch and said member whereby said member cannot be re moved from its operating position on said switch unless said switch is in a circuit closing position.

9. The combination with a normally closed multiposition rotary switch including a normally exposed rotatable switch operating element of a member selectively applicable to said switch in either of two positions, cooperating means in the form of threading on said switch and said member whereby the threaded application of said member to said switch forms a closure for said normally exposed rotatable switch operating element of said switch, cooperating means in the form of matching contours on said normally exposed rotatable switch operating element and said member whereby application of said member to said rotatable switch operating element in its other position forms an actuating means for said switch operating element, and additional cooperating means on said switch and said member in the form of an apertured shroud on said switch and a surface on said member, said aperture in said shroud and said surface on said member having matching contours whereby said member when applied to said rotatable switch operating element in its switch actuating position cannot be removed therefrom unless said switch is in a circuit closing position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

